Jul 7, 2013
Officially, this recipe is called Salsa di Parmigiano… but I’ve lovingly adapted the name to “Delicious Parm Dip” because it’s just easier. A neighbor made this dish at a block party a few months ago, and I was blown away by how yummy it was. She was kind enough to give me her copy of the recipe from a magazine clipping (which I realized was originally from Michael Chiarello at Bottega in Napa).
This dish is perfect as an appetizer or cocktail hour snack. It’s REALLY easy to make, and it’s just an added bonus that it keeps for a MONTH (so I’ve been able to use one batch for two weekends of house guests in a row)!
Salsa di Parmigiano (aka Delicious Parm Dip)
1/2 lb. Parmesan cheese (not too dry)
1/2 lb. Asiago cheese (not too dry)
2 T. chopped green onion
2 t. minced garlic
2 t. dried oregano
1 t. red pepper flakes
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
1 to 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil (to reach desired consistency)
1. Remove any rind and chop the cheese into rough 1 inch chunks.
2. Pulse the cheese in a food processor until reduced to a fine, pea-sized gravel. Transfer the cheese to a bowl and stir in the green onion and garlic.
3. Add the oregano, rubbing it between your fingers to release its fragrance. Add the black pepper, red pepper flakes and olive oil until the oil combines with the mixture. Stir well.
4. Cover and let stand at room temperature for at least 4 hours before serving. Serve with sliced bread, lightly toasted with olive oil.
{Note: If you’re saving the mixture, refrigerate, then let come to room temperature before re-serving.}
Jul 2, 2013
I like dill year-round, but for some reason, it just seems to “speak to me” more in the summer months. It’s just such a delicious addition to fish or chicken, soup, and veggies too. One of my favorite side dishes lately has been Dill Red Potatoes (I’ve had them twice this week with red potatoes being on sale)!
Dill Red Potatoes
3-6 red potatoes (serving 4), sliced approximately 1/8 inch thick
2-4 T. chopped dill
juice from one lemon
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
extra virgin olive oil
1. Place the potato slices in a foil lined glass baking dish, then drizzle with olive oil.
2. Add the dill, squeeze the lemon juice, and toss evenly.
3. Season with salt and pepper and place in a 350 degree oven. Bake for around 3o minutes, or until potatoes are cooked through.
If I weren’t trying to cut down on starches, I could eat these potatoes every. single. day… Do you have a favorite way to use dill (or red potatoes)? Let me know! I’m always looking for new ways to try both!
Jun 23, 2013
I love eggs. I love soup. And I’ve always loved egg drop soup, just never tried to make it. This week on a whim, I decided to do a little research and see how hard it was. As it turns out, it’s not hard at all. In fact, it’s ridiculously easy!
Ridiculously Easy Egg Drop Soup
4 c. chicken broth
1/4 t. ground ginger (even if you don’t like ginger, trust me)
2-3 T. chives or chopped green onions (either option is tasty)
kosher salt
white pepper (optional, I don’t like it, but several of the recipes I consulted listed it)
1-2 eggs
soy sauce (just a splash)
1 1/2 T. cornstarch
In a medium stockpot, bring the chicken broth to a boil and add the ginger, salt, white pepper (if desired) and chives (or green onions). Reduce the heat to medium.
Note: If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, you can always “make” some with chicken boullion cubes and water. If you’re going that route, use 2 cubes.
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water until smooth, set aside. Pour the cornstarch/water mixture into the broth and stir well (this just helps thicken it up a little). Rinse out the small bowl you used for the cornstarch (fewer dirty dishes), and crack the eggs in it and whisk. Slowly add the eggs, using a whisk or spoon, to the chicken stock and stir. Repeat until you have the desired amount of egg “threads” (I ended up using 3/4 of the egg mixture). Add just a splash of soy sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep in mind that the broth is salty by nature, so, although I’m a salt freak, season carefully and taste as you go.
Pour into bowls and serve. Ridiculously easy, right? I told you so. Now that I’ve made this warm, delightful soup from scratch, I’ve been kicking myself for ever paying for a bowl… It takes less than 10 minutes to make AND it’s delicious. Might be my new favorite go-to dinner!
Any other egg drop soup fans out there?
Jun 14, 2013
I found a lot of great paper items this year at the National Stationery Show, so I just had to post a few more of my faves. Love this greeting card (isn’t it so true?) from Ladyfingers Letterpress
And these lovely monogram flat notes from 9th Letter Press
And this Southern-inspired thank you card from 1Canoe2
And these fun floral notebooks from Rifle Paper Co.
Don’t you just love them all?! Coming soon to Calligraphy Etc.!
Jun 11, 2013
A few weeks ago, I ventured from West Texas to attend the National Stationery Show in New York. On the plane, someone asked if it was my first time in NYC and I said no, but it got me thinking… Since I graduated college and started working in the invitation/paper gift industry, I’ve traveled to New York for the National Stationery Show (NSS) 11 times now! Eleven times! It’s hard to believe that time has flown so quickly! I’ve only been a buyer for the last five years (before that I worked for a vendor and learned the ins and outs of show set up, tear down, and the grueling hours of “show feet” in between). All that to say, I’ve been around the block a time or two at the show and I don’t have time to waste when I’m there. I’m kind of a speed-shopper, so I can pretty much get all my buying done in about a day and a half (which allows me a sliver of shopping time in NYC and helps me get back to the store to wrap up graduation season pretty quickly).
Since the business at Calligraphy Etc. has shifted from blank stock to more custom invitations, I don’t buy many invitations at the show. I still get a little (just for the sake of variety), but by and large, most of the invitations we’re doing are our own. So this year, I was mainly on the lookout for unique greeting cards, gifts, stationery and wedding albums.
Here are a few of my favorite finds: 
1. Fun letterpress cards from Hello Lucky like this one. It’s perfect because zombies are so hot right now (a phrase I never thought I’d say)! The Walking Dead and Warm Bodies fans, this card’s for you.
2. Rewined candles. Their concept is really clever! The candles are hand-poured in recycled bottles, and each “flavor” has the same notes in the candle that are in that particular wine. So if your friend loves Pinot Noir (like I do), she’s going to love the Pinot Noir candle (and no, it doesn’t smell like wine – just the NOTES, remember?).
3. Adorable letterpress calendars from 1Canoe2. Each month has really cute graphics AND a unique “stump” holder. Come on 2014, hurry up and get here so I can use this pretty little baby! 
Happy to have found lots of other great items coming to the store soon! You can see brand new items as they arrive if you’re a fan on Facebook or follow us on twitter (@calligraphyetc) or on Instagram (@calligraphyetc). On a side note, I didn’t find *exactly* what I was looking for at NSS to broaden our custom stationery selection, so I’ve decided to make my own program. For awhile it’ll just sit on my big fat “To Do” list… but once it’s on the list, it WILL get done. Eventually.
Did you attend the show? What were some of your favorite finds?
